Things to do in Oahu

Noe DeWitt

Oahu’s seemingly endless amount of stunningly beautiful beaches are at the top of every visitor’s bucket list (as they should be), but the state’s mo... Read More

Oahu’s seemingly endless amount of stunningly beautiful beaches are at the top of every visitor’s bucket list (as they should be), but the state’s most populous island also has a rich cultural history and plenty of non-beach-related activities that are worth sacrificing a day or two of ocean time for. Well-known Oahu attractions like the Honolulu Museum of Art and the Bishop Museum showcase the state’s fascinating Polynesian past and the cultures that have helped shape modern Hawaii (including those of Japan, China, and the Philippines). Highly regarded examples of Midcentury architecture are open to the public, like Doris Duke’s opulent mansion, Shangri-La, and Liljestrand House, considered a masterpiece of famed architect Vladimir Ossipoff. Still, the best things to do in Hawaii seem to come back to nature, and hiking to the Makapu’u Lighthouse or through the dense jungle landscape of the Maunawili Falls Trail is one of the best ways to get a sense of the island.